The first major new drug for treating schizophrenia introduced in the United States in the last 20 years is about to hit the market, and it may signal a whole new generation of drugs that scientists hope will be more effective against the disorder. The drug is clozapine, which Sandoz Pharmaceuticals is putting on the American market Monday. For perhaps half of the 200,000 schizophrenics in the United States who are not helped by conventional drugs, clozapine will be a lifeline.

The first major new drug for treating schizophrenia introduced in the United States in the last 20 years is about to hit the market, and it may signal a whole new generation of drugs that scientists hope will be more effective against the disorder. The drug is clozapine, which Sandoz Pharmaceuticals is putting on the American market Monday. For perhaps half of the 200,000 schizophrenics in the United States who are not helped by conventional drugs, clozapine will be a lifeline.